Quick Guide to Personal Loans

Planned life events and unexpected expenses may require more funds than you have on hand. Being able to cover these situations often means using a credit source to help you finance the amount you need. A personal loan can be a fast, convenient and simple option to get some extra money. This informative guide to personal loans will walk you through the basics as well as how to apply for a loan when you need it.  

What is a personal loan?

A personal loan is a lump sum of money you borrow from a lender and repay over a set amount of time or term. The fixed payments, also known as installments, are based on the length of the term and include interest the lender charges based on your Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The cost of the loan will depend on your credit history and income, plus the specifics of the loan.

What can the funds be used for?

Personal loans are used to cover a variety of expenses and purchases. While loan use is as individual as the person borrowing the funds, there are some common reasons that people tend to take out a personal loan. Typical loan purposes include:

• Debt consolidation

• Auto repair or replacement

• Wedding costs

• Medical/dental bills

• Adoption fees

• Emergency expenses

• Moving

• Appliance purchase

• Funeral expenses

• Veterinary bills

• Seasonal expenses

• Tax payment

Lenders may ask you what loan funds will be used for to ensure you are applying for the right loan option and amount. A lender may also take the loan purpose into consideration for approval or to draft the terms of your loan offer.

Types of personal loans

There are two primary types of personal loans: secured and unsecured. A secured loan is backed by collateral provided by the borrower to make the transaction less risky for the lender. Because the loan is secured by collateral — like a car, or property— the interest rate tends to be lower. If the borrower fails to pay off the loan, the lender keeps the collateral. An unsecured loan does not have a collateral requirement. Loan approval may be based on creditworthiness, debt-to-income ratio, credit history, and other risk-based factors. Because the loan is not secured by collateral, the fixed interest rates tend to be higher on unsecured personal loans versus secured loans.

How does a personal loan work?

The loan process begins when a borrower requests an amount from a lender and submits an application. If the loan is approved, the borrower receives a one-time payment for the approved amount, which is usually either a direct deposit or a check. The borrower pays back the amount they were given — known as the principal — plus interest charges and any fees charged by the lender. When a personal loan is granted, the borrower signs an agreement that outlines the costs of the loan, the repayment term, and the set payment amount. A personal loan can typically be repaid in full at any time during that term without any prepayment penalty fee.

Shopping for a personal loan

It’s best to have a clear purpose for taking out a loan. This will help you stay focused while you’re comparing your loan options. Before you dive into your search, you can prepare by checking your credit score to get an idea of where you stand. You can also get your credit report for free once every year at annualcreditreport.com.

Many institutions offer personal loans, including online lenders, banks and credit unions. Once you’ve determined how much you need, things to consider before selecting a lender include:

• Annual percentage rate (APR), which includes any fees you’ll pay

• Repayment terms that fit your budget

• Customer service features, such as available hours and flexibility to reschedule payments

• Whether the lender makes loans for certain reasons, like debt consolidation.

• The fine print, as in penalty fees, whether payments are reported to credit bureaus and if you can set up automatic payments

Boosting your approval odds

If you’re concerned about whether or not your loan application will be approved, there are steps you can take to improve your chance of approval. Boosting your credit score with on-time bill or credit payments and keeping your credit utilization low can have a big impact. Other ways include keeping your debt-to-income ratio as low as possible by paying down your existing debt or asking a co-signer with a strong income to apply with you.

How to apply for a personal loan

When you get ready to apply, make sure you have the documentation you’ll need to verify your identification, income, and residence.

What you may need to apply:

• Personal ID (like a driver’s license, passport, or Social Security card)

• Proof of income (like a W-2, pay stubs, or tax documents)

• Your employer’s information

• Proof of residence (like a utility bill or a renter’s agreement)

Repaying the loan

It’s important to only take out a personal loan for the amount you need and take a close look at the affordability of the loan. Having a loan balance for a longer term means you pay more in interest, which increases the overall cost of the loan. Lenders can require you to make monthly payments, but you can always choose to pay more on your loan each due date to pay it off sooner. Make sure that your payments will fit into your budget before accepting any loan. If you are unsure about what your budget can handle, it may be a good time to check-in. Financial experts recommend a 50/30/20 budgeting guide: 50% of your earnings on necessities, no more than 30% on things you want, and 20% on debt repayment and savings. There are also other helpful apps and tools to help you track and manage your income and spending.

Many lenders offer convenient automatic payments or autopay. If you choose to set that up, payments will be deducted automatically from your linked checking account. Besides making it easier to make your payments on time, some lenders also reward borrowers who use autopay by giving them interest rate discounts.

Why choose a personal loan over other forms of credit?

Personal loans are a common alternative to credit cards and can be a better way to pay if you want to avoid ongoing debt. Like credit cards, a personal line of credit is a revolving credit product, meaning you can pay off what you borrow and continue to have access to credit up to a maximum amount. These types of options typically have a variable interest rate that can be increased by the lender. If you have an immediate need, a fixed-rate personal installment loan can help you access the extra money but have the flexibility to repay the amount over time with payments that stay the same. Taking out a personal loan and making your payments on time could also be helpful if you are building credit or working to improve your credit.

If you are looking for a personal loan, Lendmark Financial is here to help. We can talk you through the options available to you and answer all your questions. Reach out to your local branch or get an online personal loan application started today.